GW Business Tourism Program Celebrates 50 Years

November 3, 2024

Authored by:

Brook Endale

The George Washington University School of Business Master of Science in Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management (MSTHEM) program celebrated 50 years of excellence, innovation and industry impact last week with an event at the City View Room.

Cevat Tosun, the director of the MSTHEM program and a professor of tourism studies and management, opened the event with a heartfelt thanks to the many individuals who have shaped the MSTHEM program over the years. He acknowledged the contributions of past and current faculty, staff, students and alumni who have played a pivotal role in building the program.

"It is an immense pleasure for us to host you at this historical event, highlighting an incredible success story of a graduate program shaping the future of the tourism, hospitality and event industry nationally and internationally since 1974," Tosun said.

Vanessa G. Perry,interim dean of the GW School of Business, highlighted the program's strengths including strong industry connections that have allowed students to participate in professional activities and events organized by notable organizations like the U.S. Travel Association, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

"Because of our location, our faculty, our industry connections and our amazing alumni collaboration, globally, this program remains one of the most competitive graduate programs that will shape the next 50 years of the global service industry," Perry said.

Stuart Levy, associate teaching professor of management, served as the master of ceremonies for the celebration and welcomed guests to the milestone event.

Liang Yu, a professor of hospitality management, spoke about key moments in the program's 50-year history such as the program being one of the oldest tourism-oriented graduate programs in the world and being home to the first United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) designated research and training center.

Seleni Matus, the director of the International Institute of Tourism Studies and an adjunct professor of tourism, moderated a panel discussion on the future of tourism, hospitality and event industries.

"I'm honored to be joined by a distinguished panel of leaders who will be looking into the future with us," Matus said. "As we so reflect on current and past achievements, it is with equal importance, and I hope with the same energy and excitement, we look to the future."

The panelists included Brian Beall, M.T.A.' 06, the director of the National Tourism and Travel Office at the United States Department of Commerce; Faith Colvin, the vice president of Global Public Policy and International Affairs at Marriott International; Sherrif Karamat, president and CEO of the Professional Convention Management Association; and Kannan Sankaran, the senior vice president of CBRE Hotels Advisory.

The panel discussed the need for ongoing innovation to address industry challenges, including sustainability and economic growth through travel, tourism and outdoor recreation. The speakers highlighted the importance of building a more sustainable and resilient industry, emphasizing the importance of forward-thinking strategies and setting long-term goals that align with meeting standards of environmental responsibility.

Don Hawkins, the founding program director of the Masters in Tourism Administration (MTA) program, was honored with an award for his outstanding contributions to GW and was celebrated as the esteemed guest of honor at the event.

Hawkins expressed gratitude for the recognition and acknowledged everyone involved in developing and managing the program.

"The future is in front of us," Hawkins said. "It's challenging but I'm very excited about where we're going to be 50 years from now."

Beall was also presented with an award and recognized as a distinguished alumnus of the MTA program.

Christopher Kayes, a professor of management, delivered the evening's closing remarks.

Kayes said GW's tourism program stands out for its strong focus on leadership, hands-on experiences and the community of dedicated faculty, students and alumni that continue to make it special.

"When I think of our tourism program, I envision students collaborating with faculty and frontline professionals, taking ideas generated here at George Washington University into the industry and helping to shape the future of tourism worldwide," Kayes said.